1.   Get to know yourself.  Understanding yourself and what you need is the basis for a happy life and the guide to future good decisions.  What are your values?  What is important to you?  What people and activities do you enjoy most?  What gives you the greatest satisfaction?  Answering these questions is not a selfish exercise, but a window to the life you want to lead.  Knowing yourself helps you to align your actions and choices with what is important to you.  Read more

Anytime a lender writes off, or “forgives” debt, it can be considered taxable income to the borrower.  The larger the loan that is written off, the larger the potential tax bill that a taxpayer/homeowner may incur.

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Commonplace estate plans do NOT work out well for those who do suffer ill health in old age, and who do not have substantial savings and investments.  Nursing home costs are NOT covered by Medicare (except a possible short term stay), and an extended nursing home stay for one or both individuals of  a married couple will exhaust many if not most normal estates.  Once the assets are gone, Medicaid will take over.  Read more

Some things to consider when buying life insurance:

BUY convertible term insurance if you do not have time to understand the risks of a proposed cash-value policy.

ASK the agent if you can get a better deal by combining one or more riders with base coverage.

PAY the minimum premium to get the policy in full force, and then review the contract to decide on the best premium schedule. Read more